The head of Lebanon’s largest Christian group has sponsored the reconciliation of two rival Lebanese Catholic leaders and presidential hopefuls after 40 years of animosity triggered by the country’s civil war.

Samir Geagea, leader of the Lebanese Forces group, and Sleiman Frangieh of the Marada Party, warmly embraced one another at the headquarters of the Maronite Christian church north of Beirut on Nov. 14, the Associated Press reports.

They are now expected to begin patching up their differences stemming from the massacre of dozens of Christians during the country’s 1975-1990 civil war.

Their rapprochement was facilitated by the efforts of Cardinal Béchara Boutros Raï, head of the Maronite Church.

“It is so nice for brothers to sit together. I welcome you through prayers as happiness fills my heart and the heart of all Lebanese,” Cardinal Rai was quoted as saying after the two men, both Maronite Catholics, shook hands.

“Today is a beautiful day. What better thing do we need? It is a white day, a historic day,” Geagea, who enjoys the support of a Saudi-backed coalition, told Associated Press.

“This is a new page that we open today,” said Frangieh, who is allied with the militant Hezbollah group and is believed to be a close friend of Syrian President Bashar Assad.

The two men will still be competing for the presidency, however. Lebanon’s power-sharing system mandates the president must be a Catholic Maronite.

Out of a population of some 6 million people, Muslim comprise close to 58 percent, Christians 36 percent with Maronite Catholics being the largest Christian group. Druze, Jews, Baha'is, Buddhists, Hindus, and Mormons make up the rest.

Newsletter

Get the latest from La Croix International. Sign up to receive our daily newsletter.

Solidarity Fund

"La Croix International relies almost entirely on subscriptions and donations from readers. We hope that you will consider supporting our efforts to deliver quality journalism worldwide." Arnaud Broustet, Publisher